Scorching Heat and Wet Weather Combine for Banner Mosquito Season

Nader's Pest RaidersEncourages Homeowners to Take Immediate Steps to Protect Against Mosquito Infestations and the Diseases They Can Transmit

Summer is in full swing and families are spending a lot of time outdoors, however they aren't enjoying that time alone.  The unseasonably warm and wet weather experienced across the south has created a boom in the mosquito population.  

Active from dusk until dawn, mosquitoes will travel up to 14 miles for a meal.  While they are most known for the painful, itchy red bumps they leave behind on their victims, they can also spread diseases such as West Nile Virus and Encephalitis.  In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) West Nile Virus has already been detected in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Texas this year. 

"Mosquitoes breed in standing or stagnant water and only take 7-10 days to develop from an egg into an adult," said Shay Runion, Nader's Pest Expert.  "Many people don't realize that a few simple changes can prevent a yard from becoming a haven for mosquitoes."  

To protect against potential mosquito infestations and the health risks they pose, Nader's Pest Raiders recommends that homeowners take the following simple, proactive measures:

• Eliminate sources of standing water such as old tires, children's wading pools, birdbaths and flower pots;
• Keep rain gutters cleaned out to prevent water from standing in drains;
• Cut back or get rid of unnecessary vegetation around the home where mosquitoes can breed and/or nest;
• When swimming pools aren't in use, keep them covered to prevent mosquitoes from laying eggs;
• Screen windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from getting inside homes; and
• Consider using yellow bug light bulbs in outdoor light fixtures - the bulbs reduce the number of flying insects around your home by emitting a soft yellow light that these pests can't see.